Apparatus for cleaning fabrics



Oct. 10, 1944. A. w. ROBERTSON 2,360,278

I APPARATUS FOR CLEANING FABRICS Filed March 25, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY 0% y 19. 'A. w. mama-sow 9 APPARATUS CLEANING FABRICS Filed March 25, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I iNJENTOR ,4- W. Qoaeprscw 1., w y, v

ATTORNEY 6%. 1% 19. A ROBERTSON 2,363,278

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING FABRICS Filed March 25, 1942 3 Sheets-Shet 3 R 9, 754 R 4 EA 5 4 as 66 45H 96 59 'mvENToR W A. W. QoaEpTso/v 22 BY F!. ATTQRNE Patented Oct. 10, 1944 OFFICE APPARATUS FOR CLEANIN G FABRICS Andrew W.. Robertson, Plttsburgh,.la., assignor to Westinghouse Electric &' Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa, a corporation oi Pennsylvania Application March 25,1942, Serial No. 436,111

7 Claims.

My invention relates to apparatus for cleaning fabrics and the like and it has for an object to provide an improved form of laundry machine which shall be more eifective for washing and rinsing the fabrics than the. machines heretofore provided.

A further object of my invention is to remove foreign matter such as, for example, suspended insoluble soaps and emulsified dirt from the water while the latter is being employed in the washing and rinsing of the fabrics.

It is a still further object 'of my invention to provide a form of laundry machine which shall embody a filter system for cleaning the wash water and the rinse water as the machine proceeds through its laundering cycle.

These and other objects are effected by my invention as will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. l is a vertical sectional view of a washing machine constructed and arranged in accordance with my invention and taken generally along the line I-I of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the washing machine as viewed from the plane II-II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the filtering structure; Fig. 4 is a section taken along the line Iv -Iii of Fig. 3; and

Referring to Fig. 1, this the basket it.

provided withan opening it at the front end thereof which registers with. the access opening it of the casing l4. Soap is admitted to the tub structure in through a passage 20 communicating with an upper portion ofthe tub structure and closed by a suitable hinged cover 28a.

Rotation of the basket i2 is efiected by a twospeed mechanism, generally indicated at is and carried by the rear wall of the tub iii. The twospeed mechanism it may be of any well-understood construction such as, for example, a planetary gear mechanism of the type disclosed in the patent of H. E. Edwards, No. 2,284,047, granted May 26, 1942, and assigned to the assignee of the present application. The two-speed mechanism is is adjusted for high and low speed operation by a magnet mechanism, generally indicated at it, and including an operating coil 22. The magnet mechanism 2i also includes a movable armature is connected to a lever 26 which extends within the two-speed mechanism i 9 for adjusting the same for the dlfierent speeds. As the construction of adjustable speed mechanisms of the type shown at it is well understood in the art, no f further description of the same is deemedne'cessary other than to state that slow-speed operation of the basket it is effected when the coil 22 is deenerglzed and high-speed operation is efiected when the coil 22 is energized. The driven element of the two-speed mechanism i 9 is defined by a shaft 25 which is connected to and supports The two-speed mechanism is is driven at substantially constant speedby a sheave 26 which is rotated by a belt 2? and a pulley 28 (see Fig. 2), the latter being driven by an electric motor 29.

Referring again to Fig. 1, water is supplied to the tub in from a suitablesource by means of a.

drical configuration and includes a perforate side wall it, some of the perforations being shown at it. It will be understood that the side wall it is perforated throughout substantially its entire extent. M

The. tub structure i0 is disposed within an outercasing it having a front wall i 5. The latter is provided with an access 'openingit which is conduit at which terminates in a nozzle 32 ad J'acent the opening it in the casing it. The

nozzle 32 is so disposed that it directs waterthrough the opening it into the interior of the basket ii. The flow of water through the conduit Si is controlled by a valve 33 (Fig. 2) which is opened and'closed by a solenoid it. As the construction of solenoid operated valves is well understood in the art, no further description of the same is deemed necessary other than to state that, as the solenoid 3 5 is energized, the valve 33 is opened and, conversely, as the solenoid it is deenergized the valve 33 is closed.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2', discharge of washing fluid from the tub i0 is eiiected by a pump, generally indicated at 35, the inlet of which is the rising periodv which follows. The foreign matter deposited in the bundle of fabrics will be level of the liquid in the tub are filled with washing liquid. At this time, the pump-35 is inactive.

The pump 35 is rotated by a pulley 39 (see Fig. 2), normally maintained out of engagement with the belt 21 but, when the liquid is to be discharged from the tub, the belt 21 is moved into engagement with the' pulley 39 for driving the pump. Engagement of the belt 21 and pump pulley 39 is eifected by a roller 4| carried by a pivoted lever 42 which is actuated by the armature 43 of an electromagnet 44, the operating coil of which is shown at 45. The armature 43 is moved to the left, as shown in Fig. 2, by the coil 45 when energized. Such movement of the armature 43 moves the roller into engagement with the belt 21, which operation engages the belt 21 with the pump pulley 39, so that the latter is rotated. When the coil 45 is deenergized, the roller 4| and armature 43 are moved to the position shown in Fig. 2 by the tension of the belt 21. If desired, a spring (not shown) may be employed for providing this operation.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the drain fitting 31 carried by the tub and communicating therewith preferably encloses a removable strainer pan 46 which preventsthe passage of any foreign matter such as tooth picks or matches to the pump 35.

' is deposited upon the fabrics.

. The pan 46 is removable through an opening 48 formed in the front wall l5 of the tub I0 and closed by a suitable hinged door 49,;this door being shown in Fig. 1.

The various electrical translating devices referred to heretofore are controlled by a switching mechanism, generally indicated at 6|, and carried in a convenient location on the front of the casing structure H, as shown in Fig. 1. The

switching mechanism 5| may be actuated to its various controlling positions manually by a knob 52 or it may be automatically moved through its various positions by a suitable timing mechanism, in a manner well understood in the art. A detail description of the construction and operation of the switching mechanism appears hereinafter.

In the normal operation of a laundry machine .of the type described heretofore, the fabrics to be treated are deposited in the basket and the door. I! is closed. A predetermined quantity of water is admitted to the machine after which soap and, if necessary, a water softener, are poured through the passage 20 to the body of water. cated by the broken line A in Fig. 1. The'basket I2 is then rotated at relatively low speed and the clothes are tumbled in the washing fluid whereby they are cleaned.

During the washing operation, the washing water becomes contaminated with insoluble soaps and emulsified dirt which is carried in suspension by the body of fluid. Accordingly, the cleansing properties of the body of washing fluid are progressively reduced as the washing continues and, when the washing solution is drawn from the tub I0, this suspended foreign matter is deposited in the bundle of fabrics and is carried over nto carried over. to the rinsing period irrespective of whether the soapy water is spun from the fabrics prior to rinsing or not. If the fabrics are spun rinse water, as is well understood. When the rinse water is drained from the tub In, this foreign matter, including the insoluble soaps and a certain amount of emulsified dirt or soap scum, Accordingly, the fabrics become spotted or specked so that they become gray or slightly yellow after ironing. It has, therefore, been difficult, especially in hard water regions, to thoroughly clean clothes because of the contamination of the body of wash water during the washing period and the precipitation of insoluble soaps in the rinsing water during rinsing periods.

In accordance with my invention, means is provided for circulating the body of cleaning fluid during both the washing and rinsing periods of operation through a filtering mechanism for gathering suspended foreign particles from the water and thereby maintaining, substantially, the initial cleaning properties of the water throughout its use. When the washer is operated in accordance with my invention, the amount of foreign matter which is carried over to the rinsing period is substantially reduced and the amount of foreign matter which is deposited therefore, they, are just as effective to clean or rinse the'fabrics at the termination of an operation as during the beginning thereof.

The filtering mechanism which I employ for removing foreign matter from the washing soluthus is generally indicated by the numeral 55, the construction of which is best illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. The filtering mechanism 55 preferably includes a cylindrical perforate cage 56, one end 51 of which is secured to a closure 58 for an opening 59 formed in the front wall |5 of the tub structure I'll. The opposite or inner end of the cage 56 is open, as shown at 6|, and is supported by projections 62 formed on an inlet fitting 63 of a water-circulating pump structure, generally indicated by the numeral 64. The projections 6 2 converge forwardly and serve as a guide for the cage 56 when the latter is inserted in the washing. chamber, as described hereinafter.

A handle 65 (Figs. 1 and 3) is provided on the front end of the closure 58 for facilitating removal of the cage 56 from the tub III. In order to provide a water-tight joint between the closure 58 and the tub'wall l5, a resilient gasket 66 is arranged intermediate these members.

the sloped surface 69, the cage 56 is forced inwardly into engagement with the inlet fitting 63 of the pump 64 as theresilient gasket 66 is compressed.

The filtering-element which I employ is shown at H and may be formed asa cylinder of fine mesh metallic screen or of some other fabric suitable for removing fine particles from the water passed therethrough. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the filtering element 1 I is clamped to the cage 56 by suitable expansible fasteners 12 arranged at oppositeends of the cage 56 and readily removable therefrom. The expansible fasteners 12 may be continuous and formed of resilient material, such as, for example, rubber.

;As best shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the pump 64 referred to heretofore includes a body l5 having a cylindrical portion i6 extending within the tub ii) and provided with a plurality of discharge openings ll. Arranged within the cylindrical portion 16 of the pump '15 is an impeller '38 which, when rotated, draws the Washing solution inwardly through the filter H and the fitting 63 and discharges the same through the outlet ports I! to the body of 'fiuid within the tub it, as indicated by the arrows. Rotation of the impeller i8 is effected by a motor 19 secured in any well-understood manner to the pump body l5 and having a shaft 8| connected to the impeller E8. The pump body and the motor 719 define a unit structure which may be secured to the rear wall of the tub structure 60 in any suitable manner such as, for example, by means of bolts 82. The pump. structure 64 and the motor 79 may be removed from the tub I!) as a unit by removing the bolts 82 at any time that inspection of the pump or motor may be .required.

During normal operation, the motor 19 is energized for driving the impeller '18 so that washing solution is drawn inwardly through the filter H from the main body of washing fluid in the tub it and is translated by the impeller 58 outwardly through the discharge ports ill to the main body of washing fluid. During its passage through the filter H, foreign matter carried in suspension by the water is collected on the exterior of the filter M so that the water returned to the main body of fluid by the, impeller 18 is in a clean condition. The continuous circulation of the washing solutionsthrough the filtering device prevents deterioration of its cleaning properties whereby the fabrics being treated are more efiectively washed and rinsed.

After a period of use, the filtering element ii may be cleansed or renewed after removing the same from the tub. This operation is, of course, efiected by swinging the bail t1 upwardly, after which the operator may remove the cage 56 and filter H from the tub til through the openings 59 and 58 formed in the tub it and front wall of the casing structure id, respectively. The filtering element ll may then be washed down or, if renewal is necessary, the fastening devices it are removed and the cylindrical filtering element M is then 'slid from the cage 56. A new element M may then be drawn on the cage 56 and the fastening devices 112 attached. After servicing the filtering element ll, the assembled structure is inserted in the tub; the tapered projections 62 assisting in guiding the cage 56 to its proper position in the tub. The cage 56 is, of course, locked in its proper position by. the wedging of the bail 6] as it is moved downwardly over the handle 65. e

dissolved in the washing solution. This operation is provided in the control of the machine which will now be described.

The control switch 5| which I have shown is movable to a plurality of positions designated I to 5, inclusive (see Fig. 5), and may include an insulating drum which .is' shown in development and which is moved at all times in the direction of the arrow. The drum 85 carries a plurality of electrically-connected segments 86 to $9, inclusive, which cooperate with a plurality of stationary contacts 9lto 96, inclusive. The source of power is indicated by line conductors Li and L2, the former of which. is connected to the stationary contact 9| and the latter of which is connected directly to one side of each of the motors 29 and i9. The line conductor L2 is also directly'connected to one terminal of each of the solenoids 34 and the magnet coils 45 and 22. The opposite terminals of the motors 29 and 89 are connected respectively to stationary contacts 92 and M. The opposite terminals of the solenoid 34 and the magnet coils G5 and 22 are connected, respectively, to the stationary contacts 93, 95, and 96.

In initiating operation of thewasher, the operator deposits the fabrics to be treated in the basket, as described heretofore, and adjusts the drum to its first position wherein the contacts 96 to 93 are bridged by the segment 86. Accordingly, the motor 29 and the valve solenoid 34 are energized. The motor'29 operates to drive the basket through the two-speed mechanism 9 at low speed, it being understood that, at this time, the speed change magnet coil 22 is deenergized. When the proper amount of water is admitted to the machine, the operator adjusts the drum 85 to its second position. This operation deenergizes the water valve solenoid 3d at the contact 98 so that the fiow of water to the machine is terminated. -The soap is then admitted to the machine through the passage Zii, as described. Operation of the basket by the motor 29 at low speed continues. It will be noted at this time that the filtering mechanism 55 is inactive as the motor '59 is deenergized. During this period of operation, the soap becomes entirely dissolved in the washing water as the latter is agitated by the rotating basket it.

After a short period of operation in the second position of the control switch, during which the soap becomes entirely dissolved in the washing water, the drumflfi is moved to its third position sufficient' period of time to thoroughly cleanse the clothes.

After the cleansing operation is completed, the control is moved to its fourth position wherein the discharge pump magnet coil $5 is energized by the engagement of the segment 88 and the contact Q5. As described heretofore, energiza tion of the coil 45 effects operation of the discharge pump 35 so that the washing solution is translated from the tub. When this operation is completed, the drum 85 is. moved to its fifth position wherein the segment 89 and contact 96 are engaged for energizing the speed change magnet coil 22. Accordingly, the basket is now driven by the motor 29 through the two-speed mechanism H at high speed for centrifuging a from the fabrics, they are removed from the basket l2 in a thoroughly cleaned condition,

It will be'understood that the control switch 5| may be automatically actuated to its various controlling positions by a timing device in a manner well understood in the art so that the various steps in the washing program are automaticall effected. ,I have shown a manually oper-v ated switch for the sake of brevity and clearness as the particular method of moving the switch to its various positions forms no part of the present invention.

From the foregoing description it will be ap-- parent that I have provided an improved filtering mechanism for a washing machine which may be conveniently arranged within the tub and which is readily removable for cleaning. The fluid circulating means for the filter is constructed as a unit attachable to the tub and which is also readily removable therefrom for inspection or repair. The filtering mechanism in its'entirety is such that it may be applied to conventional tub structures without materially altering the design of such structures.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptibleof various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus for washing or rinsing fabrics and the like. the combination of a tub for containing a body of cleaning fluid and having front and rear openings. a cylindrical perforated container disposed within the tub for retaining the fabrics to be cleaned, a portion of said container being immersedin the body of 'cleaning fluid, means for rotating said container about an axis extending generally in a horizontal direction, a

filter disposed within the tub and removable through the front opening, and pumping means disposed within the tub for repeatedly circulating the fluid in the'tub through said filter while the container is being rotated, said pumpin means .being removable through the rear opening.

2. In apparatus for washing or rinsing fabrics and the like, the combination of a tub for containing a body of cleaning fluid, a cylindrical perforated container disposed within the tub for retaining the fabrics to be cleaned, a portion of said container being immersed in the body of cleaning fluid, means for rotating said container about an axis extending generally in a horizontal direction, a cylindrical filter, and a pump for repeatedly circulating the fluid in the tub through said filter while the container is being rotated, said filter and pump being disposed in axial alignment and immersed in said body of cleaning fluid.

3. In apparatus for washing fabrics and the like, the combination of a tub for containing a body of washing fluid, said tub having a wall member provided with an opening therein below the normal level of the body of fluid, means for agitating the fabrics in said fluid whereby the fabrics are cleaned, a filter removable through said opening and disposed in the body of fluid for collecting foreign matter carried in suspension therein, pumping means arranged within the tub for circulating the washing fluid through the filter during operation of the agitating means, means defining a detachable connection between the filter and the pumping means for the passage of fluid therebetween, and a closure for said opening.

'4. In a clothes washing machine, the combination of a tub for containing a body of washing fluid and having a wall provided with an opening below the normal level of the body of fluid, means for agitating the fabrics in the washing fluid for cleansing of the same, a filter disposed within the tub and removable through said opening, a closure for the opening and carrying one end of the filter, a pump disposed within the tub and having inlet and outlet ports immersedin the body of washing fluid, detachable means connecting the opposite end of the filter and one of said ports, and means for driving said pump.

5. In a clothes washing machine, the combination of a tub for containing a body of washing fluid and having a sump formed in the bottom thereof, said tub including a wall having an opening therein disposed below the normal level of the body of fluid, a removable closure for said opening, a pump disposed within the tub and having inlet and outlet ports immersed in the body of fluid, a motor carried by the tub for driving said pump, a filter fixed to said closure and removable through said opening, said filter being disposed at least in part within the sump, and means defining a detachable conduit connecting said filter and one of said ports.

6. In apparatus for washing fabrics, the combination of a tub for containing a body of washing fluid and including a wall having an opening therein below the normal level of the body of fluid, means disposed within the tub for cleaning the fabrics, a closure for said opening, a perforate cage generally cylindrical in formation and having one end thereof secured to the closure, the opposite end of the cage being open, a generally cylindrical filter enclosing said cage and carried thereby, said cage and filter extending across at least a portion of the tub and immersed in the body of fluid, a pump disposed within the tub for circulating fluid therein, said pump .having inlet and outlet ports immersed in the body of fluid, means carried by the pump for supporting said open end of the cage, so that the interior of the cage communicates with one of said ports, and a motor for driving said pump. 4

7. In apparatus for washing. fabrics, the combination of a tub for containing a body of washing fluid. and including a wall having an opening therein below the normal level of the body of fluid, means disposed, within the tub for cleaning ing element to the cage, a pump for circulating fluid within the tub and including means axially 'aligned with said cage and extending therewithin for defining a support forthe cage, said supporting means having a passage formed therein for conveying fluid from the interior or the cage to said pump, and a motor carried by the tub exteriorly thereof for driving said pump.

ANDREW W. ROBERTSON. 

